In Slovakia’s Tatra mountains, ironsmith Pavel lives with his son Janko and orphan Anuška, who are close. Janko spends summer pasturing sheep, while Anuška deals with Jura’s advances. Janko meets Soňa Varenová, a city woman seeking peace, and becomes her guide, causing village gossip. At a festival, Janko ignores Anuška for Soňa, angering Pavel. Pavel asks Soňa to leave Janko for Anuška, and she agrees despite her feelings. Janko seeks Anuška’s forgiveness, but she’s in the mountains. He follows her, and they reconcile by lighting a large fire.